Militia under the command of Ayuok Ogat caused panic while making their way into Manyo County last week in response to the general amnesty offered by President Salva Kiir.

Ogat, a former county commissioner, was alleged to have been involved in earlier attacks on Kaka and Wadokona in western Upper Nile State.

His surrender follows that of Johnson Olony, another rebel commander who returned his troops peacefully to the state in June this year.

Although Ogat’s return was approved at the highest levels of South Sudan’s military command, news of the decision did not reach people locally.

The group made their way from Sudan into South Sudan on 28 September. Their arrival into an area called Daba sparked panic in the county capital Wadakona, according to eyewitnesses.

Rumors and false information spread among the people. According to one witness, a drunken military intelligence officer misinterpreted information received from the county government about the arrival of the ex-rebels.

The source who preferred not to be named said that all shops were closed in fear that the group were coming to carry out operations against the town.

“The information of the coming of the militia was wrongly reported to the citizens as the army in the area were given instructions in Wadakona to quickly assembly and be ready,” he explained. “The whistling of the army caused panic and tension as it is not usual to have such a whistle.”

Manyo County Commissioner Al Taib Okec returned to Wadakona from the state capital Malakal on Friday. He is urging the citizens that there is no need to panic.

“Be calm – it was not the right information given to you,” he said.

Photo: Manyo County Commissioner Al Taib Okec returns from the state capital Malakal on 4 October 2013 (Radio Tamazuj)